U.S. patent number 6,217,334 [Application Number 08/789,918] was granted by the patent office on 2001-04-17 for dental scanning method and apparatus.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Iris Development Corporation. Invention is credited to Bruce Willard Hultgren.
United States Patent |
6,217,334 |
Hultgren |
April 17, 2001 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Dental scanning method and apparatus
Abstract
A dental and soft tissue scanning method and system is disclosed
which uses fast laser line scanning techniques of negative image
impressions, whereby an array of electronic data is generated. In
operation the array of negative image scan data is generated by a
scanner 60 and provided to a processor 501. The negative image scan
data may be saved in a memory device 504 as a permanent record of
the baseline condition of the patient's teeth, or temporarily prior
to one of several other options. The processor 501 may convert the
data to a positive image for display on the video display unit 503
for teaching or educational purposes with the patient.
Alternatively, the positive information data may be transmitted to
a remote PC 505 for storage, study by a consulting dentist (or
physician), or fabrication of a study cast by fabrication device
507. These and other options may be selected by the user of
computer 500 via the input device 506. The programming operation of
the processor 501 provides for scanning each of the upper and lower
impressions and the bite registration impression. These scans
provide the information necessary to create an electronic
equivalent of a physical study cast.
Inventors: |
Hultgren; Bruce Willard
(Victoria, MN) |
Assignee: |
Iris Development Corporation
(Eden Prairie, MN)
|
Family
ID: |
25149106 |
Appl.
No.: |
08/789,918 |
Filed: |
January 28, 1997 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
433/215;
433/214 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61C
9/0006 (20130101); A61C 13/0027 (20130101); B33Y
80/00 (20141201); A61C 9/0093 (20130101); B33Y
50/00 (20141201); A61C 9/0053 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61C
13/00 (20060101); A61C 9/00 (20060101); A61C
011/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;433/213,214,215,223 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
PCT/US91/02458 |
|
Oct 1991 |
|
WO |
|
Other References
"OTP for Windows" ; Website:
http://www.webworldinc.com/orthovision/OTPBrochure.htm; Jul. 31,
1996. .
"Treat Your Patients With Care"; Website:
http://www.sibworldinc.com/orthovision/treatwithcare.htm; Jul. 31,
1996. .
"Ortho-Vision Technoilogies"; Website:
http:www.webworldinc.com/orthovision/News 1Q96.htm; Jul. 31, 1996.
.
"Digital Record Keeping"; Website:
http://www.webworldinc.com/orthovision/RecordsBrochure.htm; Jul.
31, 1996. .
"Welcome to Ortho-Vision"; Website:
http://www.webworldinc.com/orthovision/ ; Jul. 31, 1996..
|
Primary Examiner: Lewis; Ralph A.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Merchant & Gould PC
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A method of generating a set of electronic data from a dental
impression or study cast, comprising the steps of:
a) forming a dental impression of a patient's teeth and surrounding
soft tissue from either the teeth and surrounding soft tissue or
from a study cast;
b) mounting the dental impression in a fixture;
c) scanning the impression with a laser line scanner device along
three axes, wherein a set of electronic data is developed which
corresponds to the impression or study cast.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the electronic data is
constructed as a negative image of the patient's teeth and
surrounding soft tissue.
3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of converting
the negative image data to a set of positive image data.
4. The method of claim 3, wherein the converting step is processed
with a central processing unit.
5. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of displaying
the positive image data as a three dimensional output on a video
display device.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of storing
the electronic data in a computer memory location.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of
fabricating orthodontic study casts, retention devices, and other
dental applications from the electronic data using a fabrication
device.
8. The method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of scanning
a first impression of the lower teeth and soft tissue of a patient,
scanning a second impression of the upper teeth and soft tissue of
a patient, and scanning a third registration impression of the
patient to spatially orient the first and second impressions
relative to one another, wherein an array of negative image
electronic data is generated of the complete teeth and soft tissue
of a patient which is spatially oriented properly.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of
fabricating orthodontic study casts, retention devices, and other
dental applications from the array of negative image electronic
data using a prototype device.
10. A method of generating a set of electronic data of the teeth
and soft tissues inside of a human oral cavity from a dental
impression, comprising the steps of:
a) scanning via a line scanner the impression or study cast along
three axes to generate a plurality of scan data;
b) creating a set of electronic data from the line scanner scan
data which corresponds to the impression; and
c) relating the line scanner scan data to each other, wherein the
impression images of the teeth and soft tissues are accurately
related to each other.
11. A system for generating a set of electronic data of the teeth
and soft issues inside of a human oral cavity from a dental
impression, comprising:
a) impression means for creating a negative impression mold of the
teeth and soft tissue of a patient;
b) fixture means for securely holding the impression means during
movement of the impression;
c) an X-Y-Z axis device arranged and configured for moving the
fixture means;
d) a line scanner for generating an array of negative image
electronic data of the mold; and
e) means for converting the array of negative image electronic data
generated by the line scanner to an array of positive image
electronic data.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the positive image electronic
data includes a first set of electronic data resulting from a scan
of a patient's upper teeth and soft tissue, a second set of
electronic data resulting from a scan of the patient's lower teeth
and soft tissue, and a third set of electronic data resulting from
a scan of a registration impression of the patient's upper and
lower teeth and soft tissue.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the converting means is a
central processing unit.
14. The system of claim 11, further comprising the step of display
means for displaying the positive image electronic data, wherein
the electronic data may be visually perceived.
15. The system of claim 11, further comprising a memory device for
storing the positive image electronic data.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a system of dental
modeling and imaging which creates digital images of teeth
topography; and more particularly relates to scanning a dental
impression wherein a set of negative image electronic data of the
patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissue is created which can be
electronically manipulated, displayed, stored and transmitted for
uses relating to creating dental appliances and diagnosis, among
others.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Dental study casts are an integral part of a dentist's
understanding of how a patient's teeth and bite function in a
static relationship. This static relationship serves three
important functions. The primary function is one of a diagnostic
function for interpretation of any discrepancies or problems that
exist within the bite relationship. The second function is
educational. For example, the study casts provide better
communication as a concrete model while helping the patient
understand any discrepancies that may exist in the way their teeth
function in that static relationship. Third, the dental study casts
serve an important medical/legal function in defining the
pre-existing static bite relationship prior to the performance of
any work. This work can be defined either from an oral surgical
standpoint, prosthetic standpoint or orthodontic/periodontal
standpoint.
Significant complications are associated with study casts, however,
since the casts need to be stored for an extended period (generally
seven years). For example, the storage of the study casts requires
large amounts of space in humidity controlled environments, as well
as extensive laboratory procedures involving OSHA guidelines and
space utilization for the study casts to be constructed. In
addition, a significant amount of turn-around time is required for
the curing process of the plastic study casts to occur. In light of
these significant constraints as well as the importance associated
with having an accurate recording of the pre-existing bite
relationship, there arises a need for an apparatus (or system) and
method in which electronic image data can be collected from an
impression to circumvent the need for storage of physical study
casts.
Prior to discussing a summary of the present invention, however,
detailed discussions of the construction of a working model (study
cast) of the teeth and other prior art devices will be
presented.
As noted above, in order to study dental work to be performed on a
patient's teeth, a working model of the teeth constructed of a
plaster study cast is created. The plaster cast is based on a
series of impressions taken to obtain the geometry of the teeth. To
take an impression, alginate impression material is poured into a
tray (i.e., an impression tray) which is then introduced into the
patient's mouth for a period of time (typically one to two
minutes). The impression material sets about the teeth and soft
tissues forming a negative impression. The patient also bites into
a soft material for registering a simultaneous imprint of the upper
and lower teeth which records the relationship of the teeth in the
upper and lower jaws respectively in three planes of space.
Once the impressions have set, they are sent to a lab to be
processed into an upper and lower plaster study cast. The study
casts are articulated together via the bite registration material
to reproduce the bite of the patient. After construction, the study
casts are returned to the dentist/orthodontist as a working study
cast.
A serious drawback of this method is the number of labor intensive
steps required to produce the study casts, the space and legal
storage requirements of the study casts, and the inability to
interface the study casts interactively with other diagnosis
information (e.g., photographs and radiographs). Accordingly, if
additional work is required, the cast fails in some way or is
damaged, and/or the cast is lost, then an additional impression
series must be taken. Therefore, there also exists a need in the
art to develop a set of electronic data from the series of dental
impressions wherein only a single impression need be taken for
multiple interactive functions.
In the past, several devices have been designed for the electronic
imaging of teeth. Also, other devices are known which utilize
numerical data to create prototype devices. While known examples of
such systems and devices follow, generally such systems do not
provide the accuracy required for orthodontic work. Instead, such
systems are generally useful only for crowns, fillings, etc.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,182,312 generally discloses a dental probe having a
stylus which is connected through a rod to a three position
transducer. Three signals are produced for indicating the position
of the probe at any point to which the probe is applied. The
transducers are mounted on an index tray which is adapted to be
fastened to the jaw of the patient. Thus the patient's jaw becomes
the origin against which all measurements are made. Contact between
the tip of the stylus and the patient's tissue completes a circuit
to turn on a recording mechanism which receives the transducer's
outputs.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,611,288 generally discloses a method of producing
dental prostheses (e.g., crowns, inlays, dentures and the like)
using an optical impression taken of the oral region with
nontraumatic radiation. The reflected waves are transformed into
numerical data which is used to operate a numerically controlled
machine in the fabrication process.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,752,964 generally discloses an apparatus for
producing, from an object having a three-dimensional shape, a shape
equivalent or analogous to the three-dimensional shape. Here, light
is irradiated to the object in an optical cutting plane. The light
is picked up by an image pick-up device, and two-dimensional
positions of the light are obtained in a direction perpendicular to
the optical cutting plane to determine its three dimensional
shape.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,935,635 generally discloses a three-dimensional
point measuring system which includes a laser diode for projecting
a triangulating beam at a surface to be mapped, with the beam
scanned repeatedly across the surface. Photodetectors detect the
position of the beam as reflected from the mapped surface, given by
triangulation Z-axis or depth information. Correlation of a
particular point with the position of the scanner along the scan
line gives Y-axis information, or information in a width direction.
The scanner and diode are mounted on a slide or platform device
which moves perpendicularly to the Y axis in the direction in an
out of the mouth, driven by a stepper motor, and the monitored
position of the stepper motor is coordinated with the other
information on each spot to yield X-axis information.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,198,877 generally discloses a method and apparatus
for optically sampling numerous points on the surface of an object
to remotely sense its shape utilizing two stages. The first stage
employs a moveable non-contact scanner, which in normal operation
sweeps a narrow beam of light across the object, illuminating a
single point of the object at any given instant in time. The
location of that point relative to the scanner is sensed by
multiple linear photodetector arrays behind lenses in the scanner.
These sense the location by measuring the relative angular parallax
of the point. The second stage employs multiple fixed but widely
separated photoelectronic sensors, to detect the locations of
several light sources affixed to the scanner. Individual light
sources are distinguished by time-multiplexing their on-off states.
A coordinate computer calculates the absolute spatial positions
where the scanner light beam is incident on the object to generate
a computer model.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,224,049 discloses a method for use in preparing a
dental prosthesis and U.S. Pat. No. 5,347,454 generally discloses a
system for use in preparing a dental prosthesis.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,448,472 discloses a method for collecting
three-dimensional surface information in dental applications via a
video camera. A tape strip is applied to a tooth surface to provide
a distance reference or standard for use by a computer in analyzing
the video data to determine actual distances. The tape strips are
additionally provided with identification markings identifying the
type of surfaces and the teeth to which the tape strips are
attached.
Each of the foregoing systems, devices and methods suffer the
drawback in that bulky, expensive specialized devices are required.
The processes are extremely time consuming or require the
introduction of devices into the patient's mouth for extended
periods of time or which leads to patient discomfort. Also, these
systems are limited to dental restorative procedures only. Reduced
accuracy and precision of the measurements also greatly limit the
usefulness of these systems to direct scanning of the dental
impressions, study casts or both.
Therefore, there arises a need for a cost effective, relatively
fast, and efficient system and method for electronically scanning
dental surfaces or dental materials such that the resulting data
may be manipulated for a wide variety of dental and/or medical
purposes and uses.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved dental and soft tissue
scanning method and system, using fast laser line scanning
techniques whereby an array of electronic data is generated. The
electronic data which is generated may be used for a number of
purposes including visual display, storage of a patient base-line,
creation of one or more study casts, and transmission to a remote
location for analysis, among others. The elimination of the
requirement to routinely construct study casts is also
accomplished. The principles of the present invention may be
utilized in connection with the scanning of other parts of the
human body for later analysis, as well as diagnosis and
construction of appliances, braces and other dental applications.
Therefore, while the present invention is described in connection
with the taking of an impression of a patient's teeth and
surrounding soft tissues, any number of other applications may
exist.
In a preferred embodiment of a method and system constructed
according to the principles of the present invention, there is
provided several components which comprise the system. These
components include a set of fixtured dental impression trays, a
fixtured clutch device to record the bite registration, a tool for
holding the dental impression tray(s), a scanner device, and a
processor operatively connected to the scanner for receiving the
data from the scanner device. Preferably the processor takes the
negative image data and converts the data to a positive three
dimensional image for display, transmission, conversion to CNC
(Computer numeric control) data for prototyping, etc. Optionally,
the image data may also be taken from a study cast. Further, such
data may optionally be stored as negative image data and retrieved
for use at a later date (e.g., in the event that additional
positive reproductions are desired or required to be
constructed).
Therefore according to one aspect of the invention, there is
provided, a method of generating a set of electronic data from a
dental impression or study cast, comprising the steps of: forming a
dental impression of a patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissue;
mounting the dental impression or study cast in a fixture; scanning
the impression with a laser device along 3 axes, wherein a set of
electronic data is developed which corresponds to the
impression.
A further aspect of the present invention is the method as recited
above, wherein the electronic data is constructed as a negative
image of the patient's teeth and surrounding soft tissue. Yet
another aspect of the present invention includes the step of
converting the negative image data to a set of positive three
dimensional image data for analysis.
These and other advantages and features which characterize the
present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims
annexed hereto and forming a further part hereto. However, for a
better understanding of the invention, reference should be had to
the following drawing and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
Referring to the drawing, wherein like numerals represent like
parts throughout the several views:
FIG. 1 illustrates the method steps 20 used to practice the
principles of the present invention.
FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate perspective views of lower 200 and upper
220 impression trays, respectively, used in connection with the
present invention..
FIG. 3a illustrates a perspective view of a registration tray 300
used in connection with the present invention.
FIG. 3b diagrammatically illustrates the preferred arrangement and
configuration of the impression material retaining mesh 306 used in
connection with tray 300.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment
base 400 and X-Y-Z axis devices 401 used in connection with scanner
60.
FIG. 5 diagramatically illustrates the functional blocks associated
with the processor, memory, and remote computer associated with
processing the data from the scanner 60.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a positive image of a scanned
portion of a study cast.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A detailed discussion of the various devices comprising a preferred
embodiment system will be deferred pending a discussion of the
overall method steps used to practice the present invention.
1. Overview
Referring first to FIG. 1, the overall method of the present
invention is illustrated generally by the designation 20. First, at
block 25, a dental impression of a patient's teeth and surrounding
soft tissues (hereafter referred to collectively as "teeth" for
convenience) is taken. The impression material hardens, forming a
negative image of the teeth. The lower 200 and upper 220 trays used
in connection with taking the impression are described below and
are best seen in FIGS. 2a and 2b respectively. The bite/clutch tray
300 used in connection with determining the correct spatial
orientation and relationship between the upper and lower
impressions is described below and is best seen in FIGS. 3a and
3b.
At block 30, the impression tray 200 or 220 is placed in the tool
or fixture 600 (described below and best seen in FIG. 5). The
fixture 600 is used to securely hold the tray 200, 220, and/or 300
during the scanning step. The fixture 600 may also aid the scanning
step by helping rotate the mold so that the image data can be
properly generated. It will be appreciated that during this step at
least one of the trays 200 and 220 include the hardened impression
material which defines a negative image impression or mold of a
patient's teeth.
Next at block 35, the scan of the impression occurs. In the
preferred embodiment, a scanner manufactured by Laser Design Inc.
of Minneapolis, Minn. designated as model number 8849648 may be
used. The operation and scanning methodology used by this type of
scanner is generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,524 (which is
hereby incorporated herein by reference). Generally, the scanner
model number 884648 manufactured by Laser Design is referred to as
a line scanner device. It will be appreciated that for a complete
study cast of the upper and lower teeth, two scans of the negative
image impressions occur (i.e., one lower and one upper). Further,
in order to properly reference the two sets of teeth together, a
scan of the bite tray 300 impression also takes place.
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 6, at block 40 the image data is
processed by processor 501. Such processing may include converting
the negative image scan data into a positive image for display on a
video display unit 503 (at optional block 45); converting the
negative image scan data into CNC or other format of output for use
by a fabrication device 507 (also known as a prototyping
apparatus)(at optional block 50); storing the negative image scan
data in a memory location or device 504 (at optional block 55);
and/or transmitting the negative image scan data to a remote
processor 505 via modem block 502 (at optional block 58).
In the preferred embodiment, one commercially available software
package which may be used to generate three dimensional images from
the line scan data is the package sold under the designation
DataSculpt software available from Laser Design Inc. of
Minneapolis, Minn.
2. Detailed Description of Components
Turning now to FIGS. 2a and 2b, the lower impression tray 200 and
upper impression tray 220 are illustrated. The trays 200 and 220
are shown without impression material located thereon in order to
more clearly illustrate the size and configuration of the
respective trays. The trays 200 and 220 are generally horseshoe
shaped with an elongate member 204 and 224 (respectively)
integrally attached to and extending away from the arcuate portion
of the horseshoe section. The elongate members 204 and 224 are
generally within the same mean plane formed by the horseshoe
section. However, those of skill in the art will appreciate that
other locations and arrangements may be utilized. The upper tray
220 also includes a domed element 225 which is integrally formed
and connects the interior portion of the horseshoe section of the
tray 220.
Each of the trays 200 and 220 also includes a first end 201 and 221
(respectively) which is inserted into a patient's oral cavity
during the process of taking the impression and a second end 202
and 222 (respectively) which includes a handle for helping insert
and remove the trays. Located proximate the second ends 202 and 222
are holes 203 and 223 (respectively) which are arranged and
configured to aid in the registration process of the scanning
procedure (i.e., the holes 203 and 223 on the handles may be used
in conjunction with the mounting fixture 600). However, including
such holes 203 and 223 and/or using the holes in the registration
process is optional.
Slots 206 and 226 are formed in the lower and upper trays 200 and
220 (respectively) to aid in the expansion of the impression
material when a patient bites into the same, as well as helping
retain the impression material on the tray 220 and 226 (and in a
fixed manner) after removal from a patient's mouth and during
scanning. Only several of the plurality of slots 206 and 226 are
designated by the reference numerals in the Figures for the purpose
of clarity. Also, those of skill in the art will appreciate that
the number and arrangement of the slots 206 and 226 may be changed,
with the slots 206 and 226 shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b being
illustrative.
The trays 200 and 226 are preferably constructed by means of
plastic injection molding process and of a material suitable for
medical and dental purposes. Such material should also be selected
to be rigid enough to hold the impression material in a stable
fashion during scanning and be capable of being sanitized or
sterilized.
Turning now to FIGS. 3a and 3b, the bite registration tray 300 is
illustrated. Tray 300 is shown without impression material located
thereon in order to more clearly illustrate the size and
configuration of the tray. The tray 300 is generally horseshoe
shaped with an elongate member 304 integrally attached to and
extending away from the arcuate portion of the horseshoe section
generally in the same mean plane formed by the horseshoe
section,.
Tray 300 includes a first end 301 which is inserted into a
patient's oral cavity during the process of taking the impression
and a second end 302 which includes a handle for helping insert and
remove the tray 300. Located proximate the second end 302 is hole
303 which is arranged and configured to aid in the registration
process of the scanning procedure (i.e., the holes on the handles
may be used in conjunction with the mounting fixture 600). However,
including such hole 303 and/or using the hole in the registration
process is optional.
FIG. 3b illustrates the bite tray 300 without the elongate member
304 and including an impression retaining mesh material 306
generally located within the horseshoe section. The material 306 is
used to retain the impression material on the tray. It will be
appreciated that this configuration allows a patient to bite into
the impression material on either side of the mean plane formed by
the horseshoe portion of tray 300 to register the upper and lower
impressions relative to one another so that study casts, visual
displays, etc. can be created with the proper spatial
relationships. In the preferred embodiment, tray 300 is constructed
in a manner similar to that described above in connection with
trays 200 and 220.
The scanning tool or fixture 600 is best seen in FIG. 5. In the
preferred embodiment, the fixture 600 is arranged and configured to
securely hold the trays 200, 220, and 300 while rotating and/or
moving on the fixture platform 402 (best seen in 4) as the array of
negative image electronic data from the negative impression(s) is
being generated by the scanner 60.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the scanner is designated generally at
60. As noted above, the scanner 60 and its operation is described
in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,124,524. Also shown in FIG. 4 is the
Z-axis column 407 which preferably provides precise vertical linear
motion with a screw and nut assembly. Scanner mounting member 404
is operatively connected to the Z-axis column 407. Rotary stage 402
preferably provides precise rotational movement in the range of
0.001" quadrature resolution. X-axis stage 406 and Y-axis stage 405
provide X and Y coordinate control and preferably use lead screw
assemblies. Column 403 is attached to base 400 and supports the
scanner 60. In FIG. 5, the X axis stage 406 , Y axis stage 405, the
Z axis stage 407 and the rotational stage 402 are together referred
to as block 401.
Still referring to FIG. 5, the functional blocks of the electronic
components of the present invention are illustrated. The components
include a computer 500 which preferably includes a processor 501, a
video display unit 503, a memory device 504, a user input device
506 (e.g., a mouse and/or keypad), and a modem 502. Also
illustrated is a remote computer 505, a fabrication device 507, and
the scanner 60 (and its attendant X-Y-Z axis controllers and
motors).
It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the
computer 500 may be a personal computer (e.g., a Pentium based PC)
or a special purpose computer. Further, the video display unit 503
may include any number of display devices such as cathode ray
tubes, LCD displays, etc. Still further, the memory device 504 may
include hard drives, floppy drives, magnetic tape, CD-ROM, random
access memory, and read-only memory devices. Further, the modem 502
is illustrated to show a communications capability. Such capability
may also be by way of a network, etc.
Fabrication device 507 may be connected directly to the computer
500 or may be connected to a remote computer 505. The fabrication
device 507 may be any number of devices which can utilize computer
generated data and create a three-dimensional object from such
data. One example of such a machine are the devices utilizing
stereo lithography technology manufactured by 3-D Systems of
Valencia, Calif. under the model designations SLA-250 and SLA-500.
Another example is the device utilizing filament technology (fused
deposition modeling) manufactured by Statasys Corporation of
Minneapolis, Minn. under the model designation FDM-1500.
In operation the array of negative image scan data is generated by
the scanner 60 and provided to the processor 501. The negative
image scan data may be saved in a memory device 504 as a permanent
record of the baseline condition of the patient's teeth, or
temporarily prior to one of several other options. For example, the
data may be converted to a positive image and stored in that
fashion as a permanent record of the baseline condition.
Alternatively, the positive image may be displayed on the video
display unit 503 for teaching or educational purposes with the
patient. Still further, the positive information data may be
transmitted to a remote PC 505 for storage, study by a consulting
dentist (or physician), or fabrication of a study cast by
fabrication device 507. The fabrication device 507 may optionally
be connected directly to computer 500. These and other options may
be selected by the computer 500 user via the input device 506.
The programming operation of the processor 501 provides for
scanning each of the upper and lower impressions and the bite
registration impression. These scans provide the information
necessary to create an electronic equivalent of the prior art
physical study casts. By using negative image impressions and a
line scanner, high resolution and speed are gained wherein high
quality study casts may be generated by a fabrication device 507
thereby replacing older methods of constructing the same. Although
such fabricated casts may still be saved, since the data is
generated and stored electronically, the problems associated with
storage of prior art study casts may be reduced and/or eliminated.
Further, the data may be used any number of times in different ways
to accomplish a more robust practice.
It will be appreciated that the principles of this invention apply
not only to the devices used to implement the invention, but also
the method in general of generating an electronic array of dental
impression scan image data from one or more negative impressions.
For example, it is possible to scan existing study casts in order
to generate an electronic data set and view the set in three
dimensions as seen in FIG. 6 at the designation 18. By doing so,
the image may be manipulated and/or stored as described above.
Further, by doing so, the requirement to store existing study casts
may be reduced or eliminated.
It is also contemplated that other impressions of a patient's body
may be taken to form a negative image mold. The present invention
may also be used to scan such negative images. A further extension
of the present invention is to generate a direct scan image of
teeth in a patient's oral cavity with a tool inserted in a patients
mouth and provided to central processor 501.
While a particular embodiment of the invention has been described,
it will be understood that by those skilled in the art that the
invention is not limited by the application, embodiment or the
particular devices disclosed and described herein. It will be
appreciated that other devices that embody the principles of this
invention and other applications therefor other than as described
herein can be configured within the spirit and intent of this
invention. The system described herein is provided as only one
example of an embodiment that incorporates and practices the
principles of this invention. Other modifications and alterations
are well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art and are
to be included within the broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *
References